Ned Culbertson Abbott was born in Fremont, NE in 1874, the son of Luther J. Abbott, a pioneer physician, and his wife, Clara. After completing his early education at the Fremont public schools, Ned C. Abbott entered the University of Nebraska in 1892. Active in campus literary and political activities, Mr. Abbott received a B.A. Degree in 1896, an L.L.B. Degree in 1900 and an M.A. Degree in 1918. He gained admission to the Nebraska Bar Association in 1900.

Mr. Abbott went to Nebraska City in 1896 to cover the graduation exercises of the Nebraska School for the blind for the Omaha Bee. He became acquainted with the superintendent, and later was appointed to a teaching position for two years, 1894-1900. Subsequently, he was principal of the Humboldt High School, 1900-1901. In 1901, Lillian Newbranch became the wife of N.C. Abbott, whereupon Mr. and Mrs. Abbott sailed to the Philippines to teach at the U.S. Schools located in the Moro Province. Returning to Nebraska in 1904, Mr. Abbott was an English teacher at Lincoln High School, 1904-1905; and superintendent of the Tekamah schools, 1905-1909

Mr. Abbott was appointed superintendent of the School for the Blind in 1909. In 1911 he resigned, as a new state administration took office. He became superintendent of the Humboldt Schools until, 1913, when he was re-appointed superintendent of the Nebraska School for the Blind. He retained that position continuously until 1947, when he resigned on the advice of his physician. During his tenure, Mr. Abbott energetically sought to improve the school and to increase public awareness of the education and life of the blind. He was regarded as a noted public speaker on myriad topics. Mr. Abbott was closely acquainted with several members of the Morton Family, and was active in several Arbor Day celebrations. He designed the Nebraska City slogan and pictorial device, “Plant Trees”. The papers of J. Sterling Morton were catalogued by Mr. Abbott, who also authored several articles about Morton. Mr. Abbott served twice as president of the Nebraska State Historical Society, and was widely published in magazines, journals, and newspapers. He was also president of the University of Nebraska Alumni Association.

Founder and chapter president of the Nebraska City Rotary, Mr. Abbott held offices in virtually every civic organization in Nebraska City. Mr. and Mrs. Ned C. Abbott were also the parents of four children; Mrs. Fredrick Ware, Mrs. Amos Ginn, Mrs. William L. Wilson, and M. Lea Abbot. In 1948, Mr. Abbott received an honorary Doctor of Law Degree from the University of Nebraska.

Mr. Abbott retired to Pasadena, California, where he died on February 24, 1960, following a heart attack, two weeks before his eighty-sixth birthday.

The majority of the material in series four consists of typewritten manuscripts of speeches given by N.C. Abbott, arranged chronologically. Topically they are diverse; most however deal with personal experiences of the author, Nebraska history, or the duties of Nebraskan citizens in their communities. The four longer manuscripts in series five are incomplete, some missing several chapters; none were ever published. With the exception of a biography of J. Sterling Morton, these are autobiographical efforts on N.C. Abbott. Series six contains the first drafts of several of the manuscripts; series eight, the research data, contains the source material for the manuscripts.

Series seven contains the manuscripts and published short fiction pieces of Keene and Mabel (Avery) Abbott, brother and sister-in-law of Ned C. Abbott, after the Abbott family moved to Fremont and Fontanelle, between the years 1863-1867. The diary of Luther J. Abbott, Jr. relates events of the Spanish-American war. This diary exists in the collection and is also contained in the microfilm files of the society. The personal diaries of N.C. Abbott cover the years 1921-1953. In addition, yearly journals of his career activity exist from 1939-1949. Together they provide a detailed account of events of the educator’s personal and professional life. The Luther J. Abbott Jr. diaries in series ten are restricted for preservation. Researchers are asked to use the photocopies provided.

The three series containing printed material complete this extensive collection which charts Nebraska history, illuminates several noted Nebraskans, and relates the progress of education of the blind, and general growth of the state.

Note: See the photo component [RG2626.PH] for related images.

INVENTORY

Series 1 - General correspondence, 1888-1959
Box 1
Folder

1888

1891

1892

1893

1894

1895

1896

1987

1898

1899

1900

1901 (incl. Material from Humboldt memorial address, 1901)

1902 (incl. Letters from the Philippines; Cottabato Letters to the Lariat)

1903

1904

1905

1906

1907-1909

1910

1911

1913-1914

1915-1916

1917

1918

1919

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

Box 2
Folder

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1935 (incl. Letters on “Wives of Governors” portrait display.)

1936

1937

a. 1938

b. 1938

Box 3
Folder

a. 1939 (incl. Arbor Day Letters)

b. 1939

c. 1939 (incl. Envelope on Hastings Abbott reunion)

a. 1940 (incl. Much correspondence with and about members of the Morton Family)

Manuscript: The Children’s Book
Chapter 5. Little Papio & Fontanelle
Chapter 6. Little of my Birth
Chapter 7. Last Years at Nye House
Chapter 8. At Pink House
Chapter 9. At Blanchard House
Chapter 10. High School & Little to Eat
Chapter 12. On my own
Chapter 13. Disciple of Blackstone
Chapter 14. A Job at Last